Ghulam Nabi Azad writes to Punjab CM over assault on Jammu and Kashmir students

New Delhi: Congress on Monday expressed concern over reports of "gruesome assault" on some students from Jammu and Kashmir in Punjab, saying such incidents generate "distrust and break unity" and sought immediate and stern action against the perpetrators.

In a letter to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said the students have narrated their woes to a local daily of Jammu and Kashmir and a cursory reading leads one to conclude that "deep distrust and enormous hatred" prevails in the minds of the attackers. "...Mob violence and hooliganism is antithetical to the idea of rule of law, democracy and civilised society. This generates distrust and breaks unity. Image of the country as a vibrant and rule-governed democracy also get sullied.

Ghulam Nabi Azad. File photo. Image courtesy: PIB

"Unfortunately, such tendencies of dividing the society have grown rampantly across the country after the BJP government has come to power at the Centre," Azad, the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, said in the letter and noted that thousands of students from the state were studying in various parts of Punjab which fosters goodwill and peace.

Noting that as an astute and seasoned politician, Badal will appreciate the need to arrest the trend, Azad sought "immediate and stern" action against those responsible for the incident. According to reports, three Jammu and Kashmir students were allegedly abused and beaten up in Mohali district of Punjab on the night of March 15 after being labelled as "militants".

After the attack by local goons, the students were admitted to Civil Hospital, Phase-6 in Mohali area, it said. The Congress leader also rued that even after the lapse of several days no action has been taken against the culprits whose identity is reportedly known.